The Best 36-Hole Days Across the Pond

Great Combinations in Scotland, Ireland, and England

For many golfers planning their first golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or England, the instinct is often to pack in as much golf as possible. The days are long, the courses are legendary, and the temptation to play 36 holes a day is understandable.

While we appreciate the ambition, H&B will never build itineraries stuffed to the brim with double-round days. Too much golf can leave even the most eager traveler with a sore body, a foggy memory, and no time to enjoy the Good Life between rounds.

That said, when the location is right and the group is up for it, there are few things better than a well-planned 36-hole day.

This guide outlines some of the very best.

The Legends

These clubs aren’t just home to Top 100 golf courses, they also offer the definitive 36-hole experience. It’s not only the golf that makes these special, but also the traditions, the lunch, and the feeling that you’re a member for the day.

Muirfield

Fourballs in the morning. Foursomes in the afternoon. Carvery lunch in between. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers didn’t invent the 36-hole day, but they perfected it at Muirfield.

Sunningdale Old & New

Two world-class courses, a jacket-required lunch, and a Pimm's Lemonade on the patio to close it out. The heathland setting at Sunningdale adds an extra later of tranquility to the day.

Royal St. George's

Coat-and-tie clubhouse traditions and two rounds on a course that regularly hosts The Open. For many of our Members, Royal St. George's rivals Muirfield as the finest single-day golf experience in the game.

Best 36-hole days for golf trips overseas

The Expedition led by Dr. Ed Holland from Triple Crown Country Club at Sunningdale Golf Club.

The Pairings

Some of the best 36-hole days come from pairing multiple clubs into one dynamic duo. These combos are logistically easy and an ideal way to check two boxes in a single day.

Royal Dornoch & Brora

Combines one of the highest-ranked courses in Scotland at Royal Dornoch with the charm of grazing sheep and a classic seaside links at Brora.

Kingsbarns & Crail

Modern masterpiece meets ancient links. Few combinations capture the old-meets-new spirit of golf better than Kingsbarns and Crail.

Royal Troon & Prestwick

Neighbors on the Ayrshire coast, Royal Troon and Prestwick boast over 30 Open Championships between them. They're so close, the two clubs host an annual "cross country" match that's played over both links.

Royal Aberdeen & Murcar Links

Logistically speaking, it doesn't get much easier than this pairing. You could toss a ball from the 9th green of Royal Aberdeen onto the 3rd green of Murcar Links. Together, they make for a satisfying day of links golf.

Royal County Down & Ardglass

There was a time when Royal County Down would have joined the "legends" above on its own. But since 36-hole days are off the table there, Ardglass is a worthy pairing. It's a refreshing seaside stroll after the challenge of RCD.

Group Captain Jeff Echelmeier and Friends from the Country Club of Missouri at Kingsbarns.

The 2nd Courses

Across the British Isles, there are a growing number of multi-course clubs where the "second course" is worthy of a place on your itinerary and perfect for an extra loop.

Royal Portrush

The Dunluce and Valley Links offer two distinct rounds, one historic, one wildly underrated.

Ballybunion

The Old and the Cashen combine for one of Ireland’s most memorable 36-hole days. Even more so with the Cashen’s ongoing updates.

Rosapenna

With three courses on property—Old Tom Morris, Sandy Hills, and St. Patrick’s Links—Rosapenna is ideal for those who want more golf, less moving.

Turnberry

Ailsa is the star, but King Robert the Bruce offers a worthy second act with equally stunning coastal views.

Gullane

#1 and #2 form the bones of a past Scottish Open layout, and an excellent all-day loop.

Royal Dornoch (again)

The Struie may not garner the same acclaim, but its recent updates have made it an even better companion to the Championship links.

Cabot Highlands

Home to the original Castle Stuart and the new Old Petty Links—a highlands double feature in the making.

Ballyliffin

Old and Glashedy. Far north, and well worth the extra miles.

Trump Aberdeen

They're calling it "The Greatest 36." Does the experience match the hype? Only one way to find out.

Playing 36-holes on an Ireland golf trip

Group Captain Mark Johnson and Friends from Stonehenge Golf & Country Club at Ballybunion.

A Few Considerations

A great 36-hole day is about more than just the golf. It’s about timing, pacing, and having the right plan in place.

Here are a few things we always keep in mind:

Location matters.

The best 36-hole days tend to be either at a two-course club or between neighbors. Long drives between rounds can turn a great day into an exhausting one.

Avoid stacking before marquee rounds.

Don’t play 36 the day before Royal County Down, The Old Course, or any other headliner on your itinerary. You've probably looked forward to that round for some time – you'll want to be rested so your game and the memories are sharp.

Respect the Driver-Host clock.

Their clock keeps ticking while you’re playing, and a 36-hole day can disrupt your transportation for more than just those rounds.

Leave room for the Good Life.

A long lunch, a post-round pint, or a stroll through town often make great memories just as much as the golf.

You can always add.

It's often better to take a wait and see approach to your 36-hole day. If the daylight, driver availability, and your energy level allows for it, you can usually add a bonus round on the fly.

Here's the thing: Not once in our 35+ years has a group returned and said "We wish we'd played more golf." But the right 36-hole day, planned with purpose?

That’s something you’ll remember.