Why You Should Play a Course Twice During Your Trip

Same Course, New Perspective, Better Stories

Mike Walters

September 25, 2025

6 Minute Read

There’s a moment near the end of most golf trips across the pond when someone in the group says it out loud:

"I wish we'd played that course twice."

We hear it all the time. In post-trip surveys. In planning calls for the next Expedition. It’s right up there with “Pack less” and “Take a day off" as the most frequently advice offered by our Members to future travelers.

In the sections ahead I’ll show why playing it twice isn’t just a good idea. It’s often the difference between just another round and an unforgettable one.

The One Round You Wish You Had Back

Whether it’s Royal Dornoch, Kingsbarns, or the first time standing on the tee at The Old Course, most golfers arrive at these iconic links wide-eyed and wired.

And I get it. When you only get one swing at a place you’ve dreamt about for years, you want it to be perfect.

But the reality is, it's a lot to handle.

The visuals are overwhelming. The wind is swirling. There are blind shots, unknown bounces, and green contours that don’t make sense yet. You’re meeting your caddie for the first time, trying to soak it all in, and maybe still battling some jet lag. That’s a tall ask for anyone. Especially when you're trying to post a number.

Now imagine coming back the next day. Same course. But this time, you know the lines. You’ve seen the greens. You know where the bar and the locker room are. You’re not rushing through the pro shop looking for your size in a quarter zip.

You’re just... enjoying it. That round? It tends to be the one you remember.

Golfers enjoying 2 rounds at Royal Dornoch

Scott Howe, PGA and the Members of Des Moines Golf & Country Club, enjoying two rounds at Royal Dornoch.

Everything is Better the Second Time

We’re not just talking about scorecards, though those usually look better too. Everything gets easier on round two.

The course feels more familiar, the swing gets looser, the pressure drops, and you're more relaxed over the tough shots.

Maybe best of all, you start to notice the little things. The sounds, the scenery, the seagulls off the coast. It all starts to hit a little different.

You’re no longer trying to take in everything all at once. You’re actually experiencing it. And that’s the beauty of playing it twice.

Weather, Wind, and the Role of Luck

Let’s talk about another reality of overseas golf: the weather.

There’s no sugarcoating it. The weather can—and often does—shape your memory of a course. If your one round at Ballybunion happened during an Irish hurricane, that course will live in your mind very differently than someone who caught it on a sunny morning with light wind off the water.

Playing a course twice—ideally on two different days—gives you a built-in buffer. A second shot at a marquee course that might’ve gotten washed out, wind-blown, or even closed due to a freak storm (as has happened!).

And then there’s the wind direction. Many of these courses play out-and-back, meaning the prevailing wind can totally flip your experience. What felt manageable one day might feel like you’re swinging into a gale the next.

At risk of repeating myself... Same course, totally different experience.

Royal County Down is the kind of place where even twice may not be enough.

That's why the Expedition led by Patrick Roth from Kansas City Country Club opted to play it 3 times.

Second Chance at the Big Shots

Everyone has that swing they wish they had back. What's worse, sometimes it happens on that shot you've pictured in your head for months.

Maybe it’s the 9th at Turnberry, where the crashing waves and the looming lighthouse had you distracted and your tee shot found its way into the Atlantic. Or Calamity Corner at Royal Portrush, where a nervous swing flailed to the right and down into the hollow that feels like a coffin.

Playing it twice gives you another shot at those notable moments. A second chance to take the aggressive line, shape the ball the other way, or just swing with more confidence. And that alone is often worth the repeat.

Which Courses Should You Play Twice?

Some are easier to double up than others. The Old Course? Almost impossible, unless you strike gold in the Ballot after already having played it with a guaranteed tee time. Muirfield? Treat your afternoon "alternate shot" as the 2nd round, because another visit probably isn't in the cards.

But here are a few that are not only possible—they’re highly recommended for round two:

Royal Dornoch – Many say it’s even better the second (or third) time. We agree.
Kingsbarns – A fan favorite with views so captivating, you'll want to see them again.
Adare Manor – The "Augusta of Ireland" lives up to the hype. You'll want another look.
Royal Portrush – Most Open venues are worth a second round. Especially this one.
Royal County Down – With blind shots and an intimidating layout, the second loop is priceless.
Old Head – If you catch a clear day, you’ll want to see this spectacular setting again.
Turnberry Ailsa – Arguably the best seaside stretch of golf in Scotland. Another round is always a good decision.

We’ve also seen many groups end their trip with back-to-back rounds at one marquee course. It’s a great way to slow down, settle in, and say farewell in style.

Group Captain John Harris and Friends from San Diego Country Club enjoying two rounds at Machrihanish Golf Club.

Plan Ahead and Let It Sink In

Here’s the catch: if you want to play a course twice, you’ve got to bake it into the plan from the very beginning.

Sure, there’s always a chance for a late afternoon add-on or a lucky opening. But trying to score a second round at places like Royal County Down or Portrush on the fly? Odds are slim to none.

So if there’s a course that’s calling your name, say so early. Before your itinerary is locked and the tee sheet is full.

Dave Leonard from Atlanta Athletic Club said it best after his 5th H&B Expedition:

“We really like playing certain courses twice, as it allows a greater appreciation and memory of the course.”

That’s exactly it. A second round isn’t just better golf. It’s a better experience. One that sticks with you.

So whether it’s your first trip across the pond or your tenth, don’t be afraid to play fewer courses and dive deeper into the ones that matter most.

Play it twice. You won’t regret it.