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.
And between an Open Championship, a Ryder Cup, and an Old Course sitting closed for a month of peak season, 2027 asks more of your planning than most years.
Here's what to know for 2027, including updated guidance on availability, where the opportunities lie, and where the window may have already passed.
We also covered the topic in detail in the episode below of our Golf and the Good Life podcast.
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. The Old Course will close to visitor play from June 19th through July 19th, 2027. That alone will cause a significant supply crunch. But there’s more to consider.
Along with the tighter supply, demand for guaranteed Old Course tee times always spikes in an Open Championship year as golfers hope to play the course before or after the event.
As of this update, Haversham & Baker was down to very limited availability (in the month of April only) for guaranteed Old Course tee times.
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 across Southwest Ireland is already here.
The course itself will be closed to visitors for much of the season, and the marquee courses of the surrounding region – Lahinch, Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee – are down to limited or no availability across much of 2027.
Travelers with flexibility in both dates and courses played have opportunities in the spring, particularly April and May, before the season tightens and the Ryder Cup spotlight shines brightest.
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 play golf in Southwest Ireland before the Ryder Cup, your window of opportunity is closing quickly.
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 everyone inspired by The Open to play these greats shifted their sights to 2027.
As of this update, both Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are fully booked for 2027.
If playing these greats is on your radar, the time to begin for 2028 has already arrived.
→ See our complete guide for 2028 golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England.
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
As it does every year, the spotlight from The Open at Royal Birkdale has sparked a wave of interest for England’s Golf Coast. And although the grandstands have come down from the 2026 Open, that spotlight won't stay off for long. The Claret Jug returns to this area in 2028 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Three Open Championships in six years speaks for itself (2023: Royal Liverpool, 2026: Royal Birkdale, 2028: Royal Lytham & St. Annes). The chance to play all three Open venues in the midst of that historic run is a rarer still.
It adds up to perhaps the best concentration of great golf in the U.K. And unlike the marquee stops in Scotland and Ireland, it remains within easy reach for 2027.
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 from 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 - now known as Brittas Bay 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 and Insights to Note
Tee Sheets Will Open Earlier (Again)
The trend of earlier tee time releases continues, and in some cases demand is arriving faster still.
For 2027, that story has largely played out. The headline venues released and filled, and the clubs around them followed. For some clubs, golf travel companies, and the golfers who plan furthest ahead, attention has already started to shift to 2028.
The pattern is worth understanding, because it repeats every year. Once tee times are secured at places like The Old Course, Muirfield, or Royal County Down, the ripple effect fills nearby courses just as quickly. Groups that lock in a marquee round and then take their time with the rest of the week often find the supporting courses gone before they get there.
If you have a few key rounds in mind for 2027 and haven't already done so, now is the time to finalize the rest of the itinerary.
2027 Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times
As an Authorized Provider for The Old Course, Haversham & Baker received a limited number of guaranteed 2027 tee times.
With The Open returning to St. Andrews that summer and closing the course to visitors for an extended period, the supply was even more limited than usual.
While The Old Course is always the most sought after tee time in golf, in an Open Championship year, the demand is even higher as golfers hope to play the links while the grandstands and famous scoreboard are standing.
As a result of both of these factors, our guaranteed Old Course tee times are down to very limited availability for 2027, and the peak summer months are already fully committed.
St. Andrews in September
One piece of St. Andrews advice holds true every year, and 2027 is no exception:
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 Muirfield in 2027 were released in early 2026. Very limited availability remains at this point.
If you’re hoping to play both courses in a single itinerary, it's probably best to look to 2028. This sought after pairing continues to be reserved for those who act early, and the window of opportunity opened long ago.
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: Royal Porthcawl - 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
Ready to Plan Your 2027 Golf Trip to Scotland, Ireland, or England?
Download Your Complete Guide to The Home of Golf
The Complete Guide to
Scotland Golf Travel
What's covered in this free 40+ page guide:
- The best regions for golf in Scotland.
- Old Course at St. Andrews tee times.
- Where to enjoy the Good Life between rounds.
- Lesser known courses you should play.
Plus links to over 50 additional guides and resources.
By downloading up you agree to receive marketing communications from Haversham & Baker and have read our privacy policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Reading
Visit the Yardage Book for More Golf Travel Resources
Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B
